Income tax hike welcomed by voters

Monday 26 January 2009 00:04 BST

Chancellor Alistair Darling's new 50p top rate of income tax on high earners is backed by almost two-thirds (64%) of voters, according to an opinion poll.

The tax hike, to be imposed on people earning £150,000 from next April, formed the centrepiece of Mr Darling's Budget on Wednesday and was opposed by just 22% of those questioned by YouGov for the Sunday People.

There were strong majorities too for the Chancellor's decision to raise tobacco and alcohol duties by 2%, with 82% saying they approved of the hike in tobacco tax and 66% the increase in drink levies.

But the Budget does not appear to have improved Labour's electoral chances, with just 5% saying it made them more likely to vote for the party against 23% who said it made them less likely to.

Overall, 45% of those taking part said they would vote Conservative in the general election, giving David Cameron's party a clear 18-point lead over Labour on 27%, with the Liberal Democrats trailing on 17%.

The Conservative lead was identical to a similar YouGov survey carried out in the immediate wake of the Budget and appeared to confirm a recent surge in Tory fortunes following a dip in the polls over the winter.

Some 8% of those questioned said that they were likely to take advantage of the "car scrappage" scheme announced in the Budget, which offers motorists £2,000 off a new car if they trade in a banger of 10 years old or more.

And 6% said they were more likely to consider moving house or buying their first home as a result of Mr Darling's decision to extend the stamp duty holiday.

Just 16% accepted Mr Darling's estimate that the Government will need to borrow £700 billion over five years to plug the gap between taxes raised and public spending. Almost two-thirds (65%) said the figure would be higher, while just 2% expected it to be lower.